The Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports the Pittsburgh Pirates signed IF Graham Koonce to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training Thursday, Jan. 6. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Athletics.MLB.com's Mychael Urban reports Oakland Athletics 1B Graham Koonce, who was the 2003 Pacific Coast League MVP with Triple-A Sacramento, has a shot at making the big league roster, but could end up starting the year in Triple-A because of the team's acquisition of 1B Eric Karros. The team already had two other first basemen, 1B Scott Hatteberg and 1B Erubiel Durazo.

Athletics.MLB.com's Mychael Urban reports Oakland Athletics 1B Graham Koonce was named a minor league All-Star by USA Today Sports Weekly. In addition, he was also named the Pacific Coast League's Most Valuable Player. Koonce hit 34 home runs in 2003 to lead everyone in minor league ball, and also added 115 RBIs while walking 98 times.